3rd time Facing Tom Gorzelanny

Instead of facing J Zimmermann, the Nationals skipped him to keep his innings under control; THANK YOU.

Here is the scouting report on Gorzelanny again.  He's 2-2 (7 starts, 42 innings) this year, 3.40 ERA (4.93 FIP), and a ridiculous .189 BAPIP which will regress over the course of the year, and helps him have a 1.02 WHIP. He has his walk rate under 3.0 currently in the small sample size, which is the lowest in his craeer. He's 0-1 in his 2 starts against the Mets this year (11 2/3 innings), and threw a quality game last time on April 27th (6 1/3, 1 run, 5 hits, only 1 walk). On April 9th, He faced the Mets and took the loss, going 5 1/3 innings, allowing 5 runs (2 home runs to Beltran) on 4 hits, and 2 walks, while striking out 8.

Tom Gorzelanny
28 years old
7th major league season
6'2" 207 pounds
Bats L/Throws L

The former Pirates prospect was traded to the Cubs mid-season 2009, and was traded this January for a trio of prospects after the Cubs acquired Matt Garza. He has been wildly inconsistent during his major league career, starting 95 games, (36-37 career record), with a 4.68 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. His best year was in 2007 when he had a 3.88 ERA and won 14 games, but the Pirates made it throw 30+ meaningless innings in September, and he hasn't been the same since (highlighted by a higher BB/9 rate than his K/9 rate in 2008).  Last year for the Cubs he threw 136 innings (29 games, 23 starts), with a 4.09 ERA and 1.51 WHIP, due to his high BB/9 rate of 4.5. He can be a useful arm in the back-end of a rotation.

He has a herky-jerky delivery (turns his back to the hitters to create deception), and throws from a high 3/4s arm slot. He throws 88-92 (velocity dropped from 91 to 2009 to 89.8 to 2010), an average change-up that runs down and away from righties (83 mph), and decent slider (usage jumped to 22% last year) and an occasional curveball. He's a fly ball pitcher who has swing and miss stuff (9 K/9 in 2009), but also has inconsistent command and  has struggled with walks previously (6 W/9 in 2008). He struck out 10.4/9 versus lefties last year, so expect to see the line-up loaded up with righties.

He's pitched against the Mets 11 times, including 7 starts, and is 2-4 with a 5.70 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. He started once last year against the Mets in April with the Cubs, and threw 5 2/3 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 7, but took the loss.